York Graduate Ventures To Malton

A graduate from York St John’s College is opening the doors on her new business venture today.

Anna Florence who has her new store on Market Street has decorated her shop in the style of an apothecary, using clear glass jars, appealing shelving, and distinctive displays, specialising in vintage, industrial and natural interiors, with an emphasis on trendy ‘up-cycling’.

Anna said: “This is a dream come true for me with opening Anna Florence. The tagline for my business is ‘Apothecary for the Home,’ reflecting how I can help people decorate their home to a beautiful standard.

“The shop in Market Street will be divided into themed areas, so people can imagine how lovely their own place could be!

“I will stock some well-known names such as Fired Earth paints, as well as encouraging ‘up-cycling’ when an everyday product can be made into something elegant and useful. I will also be encouraging local artists and craftspeople to help with my business.

“In the near future, I am looking to develop my own line of interior products under my own branding. Customers can also find me online at www.annaflorence.com.”

Anna says her inspiration derives from a fascination with interiors, particularly with the ‘vintage effect’, made prominent in recent TV series such as ITV’s Mr Selfridge and BBC’s The Paradise.

Anna continued: “The Market Street property is part of the Estate’s revival of the ‘Living over the Shop’ initiative and includes an apartment, which makes it really convenient and cost-effective when you are starting a new venture. I would like to thank Fitzwilliam Estate for helping me realise my ambition, and thanks go to my family, partner Daniel and friends.”

Malton Estate has another property that could help a young couple with a business idea, offering a similar cost-effective approach for a budding business entrepreneur. Tobias Burckhardt, Fitzwilliam Malton Estate’s Surveyor, said: “We are reviewing the Estate’s properties and we are looking to offer similar opportunities, such as the 96 Castlegate premises, in which people can run a business and a home from the same property.“We have some excellent tenant packages available and we would be delighted to hear from prospective tenants.